More States In America Now Joining Movement To Make English The Official Language


Over the course of this year, many states have argued if it should make English its official language. To some, such a move makes sense, especially since the majority of people (about 80 percent) recognize English as their primary language. Despite this statistic, the means of a state making it their official language is constantly debated. The Inquisitr reported on the latest news pertaining to this matter in which Sean Parnell, governor of Alaska, actually signed twenty languages as official languages for Alaska in which some argue that not one of them is English, particularly because English is already recognized.

Now, there are reports coming in that five more states are now joining the movement to make English their official language.

According to the Washington Post, it reported that five states are considering legislation this year to make English their official language. If they pass, they will join 31 other states who already have official language laws put into place. The map below shows states that have either listed English as their official language, listed English with additional requirements, or has been recognized by the state Supreme Court as English.

English Language
This map shows which states have recognized English as their official language. Some do have conditions though and that should be considered too.

The five states that are joining the movement to make English their official language are West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York.

However, it should also be reported that some of the states who recognize English as an official language may have semantics that can be questionable. For example, Illinois straight-forwardly states that English is the official language. However, if one were to read what Missouri states, there seems to be some vagueness.

“The general assembly recognizes that English is the most common language used in Missouri and recognizes that fluency in English is necessary for full integration into our common American culture.”

To some, Missouri’s recognition reads off like an observation instead of a designation. Still, there is at least some form of recognition that English is a necessity.

It should be recognized that the previous source reported about two months ago but was brought up again in a collective report by Conservative Tribune. In their report, they collect numerous sources (including the the Washington Post as linked above) for a summarizing of news for both sides of the movement. They state those who go against making English the official language claim that such measures are discriminatory against those who don’t speak English at all. However, it should also be noted that making a language official isn’t meant to discriminate but a means to officiate a primary language that the state and country can default to. This is mostly to help businesses, legislation, and others that would benefit from a core language for communication.

Now that you’ve read the report on more states moving towards making English the official language of their state, what are your opinions? Where you live, do you think English should be an official language of your state (whether it is or not)?

[Featured Image via Bing and Post Image via The Washington Post]

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